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Wed, Mar 18- 2020
News Summary Report
EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
FM Video Conferences with Kuwait Envoys to Europe
Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah on Tuesday video conferenced with heads of Kuwait’s diplomatic missions in several European countries.
The conference, attended by Deputy Foreign Minister Khaled Al-Jarallah, the assistants to the minister and members of the national taskforce, discussed the situation of Kuwaiti nationals in Europe against the backdrop of the outbreak of the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser reminded the Kuwaiti diplomats of the instructions to do their utmost to ensure the safety of all nationals from the risks of the pandemic.
He is scheduled to make similar contacts with Kuwaiti envoys to other countries, which have Kuwaiti residents.
KUNA
ECONOMY
Kuwait Oil Price Down to $ 32.16 – KPC
Price of Kuwaiti crude oil shed $ 3.30, settling at $ 32.16 pb Monday against $ 35.46 pb last Friday, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said Tuesday.
In global markets, prices took another nosedive as the already growing fear of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to amplify.
Brent crude went down by $ 3.36, settling at $ 30.50 pb, while the West Texas Intermediate lost $ 2.08 to land at $ 29.65 pb.
KUNA
Kuwait Commerce Ministry Penalizes Dealers’ Violating Anti-Coronavirus Regulations
Ministry of Commerce and Industry said on Wednesday three commercial stores a number of vegetable vendors’ stands were closed for violating regulations against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The ministry said in a statement that teams inspected 238 pharmacies, issued 72 penalty notifications to commercial stores for breaching laws and allowed reopening nine others after receiving pledges to tackle the violations.
The inspection teams have also examined 23 branches of supply centers for the Flour Mills Company and bakeries to ensure easy sales and work.
It warned traders against bids to take advantage of the current extraordinary circumstances in the country.
KUNA
Government launches series of financial and economic reforms
The government is launching a series of financial and economic reforms, following the drop in oil prices to about $30 per barrel, reports Al-Qabas daily.
According to informed official sources, reform is no longer a choice, but rather a necessity and even more.
Therefore, there is a need to activate economic reform measures, which were previously approved and many basic articles of which remained ink on paper. The required reform will be accompanied by incentive measures for economic activities that are strongly affected in the public and private sectors from the
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repercussions of the coronavirus crisis. Add to this is the decline of oil prices at different levels.
The budget deficit will be doubled due to the decrease in oil revenues by 50 percent. The decline of non-oil revenues is almost at the same level due to the economic downturn, which seems frightening if the two crises are prolonged – collapse in oil prices and coronavirus rampancy.
Among the proposed procedures, privatization has been presented as an option that is also required. Recently, the Central Bank of Kuwait reduced the discount rate by one percent (from 2.5 percent to 1.5 percent) to the lowest historical level.
In this regard, financial and economic sources stressed that the Central Bank of Kuwait is playing its role to the fullest and is very advanced in its attempts to make the economy stand up to the successive crises. Reducing interest would provide the economic sectors with a dose of oxygen that would ease the burden of financing to levels never seen before in Kuwait.
Arab Times
DOMESTIC AFFAIRS
Seven New Coronavirus Cases in Kuwait – MOH
Seven new cases of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) were discovered in Kuwait within the last 24 hours, bringing the total infections to 130, said the Health Ministry Tuesday.
In a press conference, Health Ministry Spokesman Dr. Abdullah Al-Sanad revealed that all newly announced cases were for Kuwaiti citizens returning from the UK.
Out of the 130 in total, 12 cases recovered and 118 are still receiving treatment, he pointed out.
KUNA
Gearing Up for Any Emergency, Solidarity Needed – Kuwait’s PM
We are managing the crisis as long as it takes, said His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah on Tuesday.
His Highness’s remark came during his meeting with senior commanders at the Ministry of Defense; spearheaded by Deputy Premier and Defense Minister Sheikh Ahmad Mansour Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah.
His Highness Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled, during the meeting, conveyed greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabahl;
Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as well as salutations of His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah for the Forces’
“great” technical and logistical support in the ongoing ‘battle’ against the global spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), mainly the Air Force.
“The Defense Ministry has been an integral part of the state’s emergency plan, since day one”, His Highness pointed out, stressing that the current crisis requires
“solidarity and understanding from all regarding countermeasures being taken”.
His Highness also appreciated contributions and cooperation of the private sector in the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the virus.
He also highly commended the thousands of young Kuwaitis who flocked centers to volunteer and help the state, which proved what they are made of.
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His Highness the Premier concluded by reiterating the dire need to abide by all precautionary measures the State of Kuwait is implementing in order to sufficiently encounter the pandemic.
KUNA
MOH, FM, MOE Discuss Ramifications of COVID-19
Kuwaiti Minister of Health Sheikh Dr. Basel Humoud Al-Sabah, Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr. Ahmad Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Sabah and Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr. Saud Al-Harbi met on Tuesday to discuss the combat against the novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).
The meeting, hosted by the Ministry of Health, gathered other senior officials from the three ministries.
They reviewed the efficacy of the preventive measures adopted so far inside and outside Kuwait to stem the spread of the pandemic, as well as the situation of Kuwaitis abroad and the arrangements for their possible return.
KUNA
Sources:
KUNA: http://www.kuna.net.kw/Default.aspx?language=en
Al Rai: http://www.alraimedia.com/
Kuwait Times: http://www.news.kuwaittimes.net/website/
Arab Times: http://www.arabtimesonline.com/news/
MEED: http://www.meed.com/
Al Anbaa: http://www.alanba.com.kw/newspaper
Al-Seyassa : http://al-seyassah.com/
Al-Anbaa: https://www.alanba.com.kw/newspaper/
Al-Jareeda: http://www.aljarida.com/
